Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza Recipe

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is a mouthwatering combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that take your homemade pizza game to the next level. This pizza is layered with a creamy ricotta base, crisp pepperoni, and drizzled with hot honey for a sweet kick that complements the spiciness of the pepperoni. Whether you’re a pizza enthusiast or just looking for a new, exciting flavor combination to try, this recipe will become one of your favorites.

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir until the yeast dissolves, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This indicates that the yeast is activated.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir the ingredients together until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 7-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour as needed.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
5. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough in half if making two pizzas or keep it whole for one large pizza. Roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness (typically 12-14 inches in diameter for a standard pizza).

Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Base

1. Mix the Ricotta: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Set Aside: Set the ricotta mixture aside while you prepare the rest of the pizza ingredients. This creamy base will act as the perfect complement to the spicy pepperoni and hot honey drizzle.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pizza

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Preheating the stone helps create a crispy crust. If you don’t have a pizza stone, a preheated baking sheet works well too.
2. Shape the Dough: Roll out your dough on a floured surface or parchment paper, shaping it into a circle or rectangle based on your preference. Dust the pizza peel (or the back of a baking sheet) with cornmeal to prevent the dough from sticking when transferring it to the oven.
3. Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the outer edges of the pizza dough with olive oil to help the crust turn golden brown and crispy when baking.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

1. Spread the Ricotta Mixture: Using a spoon, spread an even layer of the ricotta mixture over the surface of the pizza dough, leaving about 1 inch around the edges for the crust.
2. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan over the ricotta layer. This creates a nice, gooey base for the toppings.
3. Arrange the Pepperoni: Place the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese. You can add as many or as few as you like, depending on your preference.
4. Optional Extra Toppings: If you want to get creative, feel free to add additional toppings such as sliced red onions, roasted red peppers, or mushrooms.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza

1. Transfer to the Oven: Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
2. Bake: Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy, the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the pepperoni is slightly crisp around the edges.
3. Check for Doneness: Keep an eye on the pizza in the last few minutes to ensure it doesn’t overcook. The edges should be golden brown, and the cheese should be perfectly melted.

Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Drizzle

1. Prepare the Honey: While the pizza is baking, make the hot honey. In a small saucepan, combine the honey and crushed red pepper flakes over low heat. Stir occasionally and let the mixture warm for about 5 minutes. This infuses the honey with a spicy kick.
2. Optional Tangy Flavor: For an extra layer of flavor, stir in the apple cider vinegar to the honey mixture. This will add a slight tang to balance out the sweetness of the honey and the spiciness of the pepper flakes.
3. Set Aside: Once the honey is warm and infused with spice, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 7: Serve the Pizza

1. Drizzle with Hot Honey: Once the pizza is out of the oven, immediately drizzle the hot honey over the top. Be generous with the drizzle, ensuring each slice gets a bit of that sweet heat.
2. Garnish with Fresh Basil: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the pizza for a burst of color and freshness that complements the flavors.
3. Slice and Serve: Cut the pizza into slices and serve it hot. The combination of the creamy ricotta, spicy pepperoni, and sweet-hot honey is absolutely irresistible.

Tips for Success

• Pizza Dough: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought pizza dough to save time and effort. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
• Hot Honey: Store-bought hot honey is also available if you prefer not to make your own, but making it at home allows you to control the spice level.
• Preheating: Preheating your pizza stone or baking sheet is crucial for a crispy crust, so don’t skip this step.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this pizza with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. You can also serve extra hot honey on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Variations

• Veggie Version: Add roasted veggies like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms to the pizza for a meatless version that still packs a flavor punch.
• Meat Lovers: Add sausage, bacon, or ham alongside the pepperoni for an even heartier pizza.
• Different Cheeses: Try adding goat cheese or feta for a tangier cheese profile, or use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for an even cheesier pizza.

Conclusion

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is a delightful twist on a classic pizza, with the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and sweet flavors. With its simple preparation and bold flavor profile, this pizza will quickly become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, the combination of hot honey, crispy pepperoni, and creamy ricotta will impress your taste buds and leave you craving more!

Yield: 2

Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza Recipe

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Hot Honey Pepperoni Ricotta Pizza is a mouthwatering combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that take your homemade pizza game to the next level. This pizza is layered with a creamy ricotta base, crisp pepperoni, and drizzled with hot honey for a sweet kick that complements the spiciness of the pepperoni. Whether you're a pizza enthusiast or just looking for a new, exciting flavor combination to try, this recipe will become one of your favorites.

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Pizza Dough:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• For the Toppings:
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups sliced pepperoni
• 2-3 tablespoons hot honey (or more, to taste)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

2. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.

3. Prepare the Pizza Bases:

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal pieces. Roll each piece out on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
• Transfer the rolled dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Assemble the Pizzas:

• Spread half of the marinara or pizza sauce on each pizza base, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the sauce, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.

5. Bake the Pizzas:

• Place the pizzas in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

6. Finish and Serve:

• Remove the pizzas from the oven and drizzle hot honey over the top.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes if desired.
• Slice and serve hot!

Notes

Hot Honey: You can find hot honey in stores or make your own by mixing honey with a few drops of hot sauce or infused chili peppers.

Additions: Feel free to add your favorite toppings like bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms for extra flavor.

Crust Variation: For a thicker crust, let the dough rise longer or use a deeper baking dish.